BATON ROUGE - Leaders at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church are raising money for a new roof for the 107-year-old church.

On Good Friday, the church wrapped up a series of fish fries to help fix a leaking roof.

St. Francis Xavier was founded in 1916 as the first church for African-American Catholics in Baton Rouge. John Young, the church's director of religious education, said St. Francis Xavier has a deep history in Baton Rouge.

"With racism and everything, we had to sit at the back of the church. So, the congregation got together and said, 'Let us build our own church,'" said Young.

Leaders renovated most of the sanctuary in 2018. But a problematic roof puts it all at risk. Coordinator of religious education, Gaylynne Mack, said the century-old building is starting to show its age.

"Our church is one of the oldest churches in Baton Rouge, and it needs some work," Mack said.

Pastor Henry Ihuoma said water seeps into the church every time it rains.

"We've been trying to get money for the roof for about three years now, but that's been difficult," Ihouma said. "Most of the proceeds from this fundraiser will go to the roof."

Some of the money raised will also go toward church youth programs.

"It helps them to build their character and to become successful," Mack said. "Once we are raising successful people, we won't have things in our community like crime."

Without donations from the community, leaders say it will be difficult to keep the church's doors open for generations to come.

The goal is to raise $50,000 this year for the roof. More fundraisers at St. Francis Xavier are planned for fall 2026.